DEVELOPERS have submitted an appeal to the secretary of state after Charnwood Borough Council planning officers refused permission for 71 homes in Shepshed.

An application for the new houses was first submitted by Strata Homes Ltd in September last year, and it was refused by planning officers in March this year.

The original application was for the erection of 71 houses on land to the rear of 62 Iveshead Road, Shepshed, however this was rejected for a number of reasons.

These included that the affordable housing and market sale houses were clearly distinguishable from one another.

The planning officers report states “in well-designed places affordable housing is not distinguishable from private housing by its design, nor is it banished to the least attractive part of the site.”

Another reason was that the proposal for two and three storey houses across the entire site would not be in keeping with the character of the area, because the site is within Charnwood Forest.

The officers report states: “the proposal would not address the landscape transition from urban to rural character and increase the landscape harm.”

Also the development proposed that 70 per cent of the homes would be four bedrooms or more and 14 per cent two bedroom homes.

he officers report states that “The development therefore is dominated by larger properties and would not meet strategic housing needs.”

Some properties were also deemed too close to others already on Iveshead Road and new houses would be “visually intrusive and impact on residential amenities and impact on the useability of private garden areas” - according to planning officers.

Marie Stacey, of Pegasus who are the agents of planning consultants Strata Homes Limited told the Echo: “The applicant has the right to appeal and that is why we are doing it.

“We are hopeful that the decision will be overturned, because we wouldn’t be appealing it if we weren’t.

“In terms of the amount of time that it takes for a decision to be reached it is in the hands of the inspectorate, but we are hopeful that a decision will be reached within the next year.

“We have made ammendments to the original application and are hopeful that it is enough for it to be passed.”

The application number is P/16/1980/2 and is available to view on the Charnwood Borough Council planning portal.

The public have until Friday, October 13 to submit their views on the plans and can request copies of the amendments by calling 01509 670806 or emailing EastMidlands@pegasuspg.co.uk